Making Connections That Matter
Noemi Mendez, owner of Making Connections Consulting . Photo by Jennifer Marquez, JEFAS Magazine
By Christina Fernández-Morrow, JEFAS MAGAZINE
“Across the nation, Latino students, many of whom are multilingual learners, continue to be underserved by an education system that lacks adequate representation and culturally responsive support,” states Noemi Mendez, a Des Moines Public School educator. To her, this is more than just a statistic, it’s a call to action.
Between writing children’s books, teaching online college courses, and pursuing a doctorate in Culturally Responsive Leadership, Mendez launched Making Connections, LLC in the Fall 2023 to tackle the shortage of educators of color equipped to support English-learning students. Rather than complaining on the sidelines, Mendez has dedicated her career, and now her business to increasing student achievement.
Three Decades of Experience
Mendez didn’t form her observations overnight. Across nearly three decades she has been a teacher associate, kindergarten and middle school English Language teacher, curriculum coordinator, administrator and an interim principal. This breadth of experience has given her unique insight into working with the students she considers most vulnerable and who often lack a voice in education.
“It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about building capacity, elevating voices, and creating systems where every student, especially those too often overlooked, can thrive,” she explains.
Unable to ignore this troubling pattern, Mendez gathered resources from previous roles and designed a research-based training curriculum full of tools and strategies for educators at all levels to better serve multilingual students. The training focuses on language acquisition, culturally responsive pedagogy, and effective classroom management. “The goal is simple yet powerful,” shares Mendez, “To ensure every child, regardless of their background or language, has access to high-quality, inclusive, and empowering education.”
Noemi Mendez, owner of Making Connections Consulting . Photo by Jennifer Marquez, JEFAS Magazine
A Personal Connection Shapes a Mission
As a multilingual learner herself, Mendez understands the struggle personally. As the first in her family to pursue higher education, she persevered through doubts, fear and guilt over having opportunities those before her could only dream of having. “If you would have told me years ago that I’d be earning a doctorate in education, publishing books, and running my own business, I would’ve said, “I can’t wait!” Because deep down, I always believed there was more out there for me,” she reflects.
That drive comes from watching the women in her family, especially her mom and sisters, give of themselves and serve their community. She recognized a responsibility to do as much as she could, leading her to take risks in her education, career and now in her business ventures as an author and business owner.
She poured this passion into supporting and mentoring other Latinas as the executive director of the Latina Leadership Initiative, a role she held just before the pandemic. Seeing a lot of herself reflected in the participants, she knew she could make a difference beyond the classroom while elevating her culture. “Being Latina means I don’t give up easily. It means I carry my community with me in everything I do,” she says proudly. “We thrive, grow, and live fuller lives when we lift each other up.”
Sustained by Purpose
This sense of purpose is the fuel that keeps Mendez going. Although sometimes the days can feel long and the task daunting, she takes it in stride, knowing she is creating the changes students need to thrive.
“If I can educate, support, or inspire even one person at a time, then I’m doing what I was called to do. I truly believe that education has the power to transform lives and communities, and that’s what keeps me grounded and motivated,” she says.
With such dedication and heart for her work, it’s no wonder that her influence will be felt for years to come.
